Automatic configuration of a load control device

ABSTRACT

A load control system for controlling an electrical load may include a sensor, a remote control, and a load control device. The remote control may comprise a button and may be configured to wirelessly transmit a digital message in response to an actuation of the button. The load control device may be configured to control the electrical load, be responsive to the sensor, and/or be configured to be associated with the remote control. The load control device may be responsive to the digital message transmitted by the remote control if the remote control is associated with the load control device. The load control device may be configured to automatically operate in a first mode of operation if the remote control is not associated with the load control device, and automatically operate in a second mode of operation if the remote control is associated with the load control device.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/658,875, filed Jul. 25, 2017, entitled AUTOMATIC CONFIGURATION OF ALOAD CONTROL DEVICE, which claims priority to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/078,977, filed Mar. 23, 2016, entitled AUTOMATICCONFIGURATION OF A LOAD CONTROL DEVICE (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,743,489,Issued Aug. 22, 2017), which claims priority to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/341,802, filed Jul. 26, 2014, entitled AUTOMATICCONFIGURATION OF A LOAD CONTROL DEVICE (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,313,859,Issued Apr. 12, 2016), which claims priority to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/469,581, filed May 11, 2012, entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICETHAT IS RESPONSIVE TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF WIRELESS TRANSMITTERS (now U.S.Pat. No. 8,823,268, Issued Sep. 2, 2014), which is a non-provisionalapplication of commonly-assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/485,934, filed May 13, 2011, entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICE THAT ISRESPONSIVE TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF WIRELESS TRANSMITTERS, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Occupancy and vacancy sensors are often used to detect occupancy and/orvacancy conditions in a space in order to control an electrical load,such as, for example, a lighting load. Occupancy and vacancy sensorstypically comprise internal detectors, such as, for example, apyroelectric infrared (PIR) detector, and a lens for directing energy tothe PIR detector for detecting the presence of the user in the space.Occupancy and vacancy sensors have often been provided in wall-mountedload control devices that are coupled between an alternating-current(AC) power source and an electrical load for control of the amount ofpower delivered to the electrical load. In addition, some prior artoccupancy and vacancy sensors have been provided as part of lightingcontrol systems. These sensors are typically coupled via a wired orwireless communication link to a lighting controller (e.g., a centralprocessor) or a load control device, which then control the lightingloads accordingly.

Daylight sensors (i.e., photosensors) are often used to measure thetotal light intensity in a space in order to adjust the light intensityof the lighting load to thus adjust the total light intensity in thespace. For example, the light intensity of the lighting load may bedecreased as the total light intensity increases, and vice versa.Daylight sensors are typically mounted to a ceiling in the space at adistance from the window, and may be coupled via a wired or wirelesscommunication link to a lighting controller or a load control device forcontrolling the lighting loads.

There is a need for a load control system that includes a load controldevice that is responsive to both wireless occupancy sensors andwireless daylight sensors, and that is easily configured to operateappropriately in response to the wireless occupancy and daylightsensors.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a load control device for controllingthe amount of power delivered to an electrical load, such as a lightingload, and more particularly, to a load control device that isautomatically configured to operate appropriately in response to thetype of wireless transmitters (e.g., occupancy sensors, daylightsensors, or remote controls) associated with the load control device.

A load control system for controlling power delivered from a powersource (e.g., an AC power source or a DC power source) to a lightingload may include one or more of a daylight sensor, a remote control, anoccupancy sensor, and a load control device. The daylight sensor may beconfigured to wirelessly transmit messages, which for example, mayindicate a measured light level in a space occupied by the lightingload. The remote control may be configured to wirelessly transmitmessages, which for example, may be indicative of a user input to turnon or off the lighting load. The occupancy sensor may be configured totransmit digital messages, which for example, may indicate whether thespace occupied by the lighting load is occupied or vacant. The loadcontrol device may be adapted to be electrically coupled in seriesbetween the power source and the lighting load.

A load control device for controlling power delivered from a powersource (e.g., an AC power source or a DC power source) to a lightingload. The load control device may include a wireless communicationcircuit and a controller. The wireless communication circuit may beconfigured to receive messages from a daylight sensor, messages from aremote control, and messages from an occupancy sensor. The controllermay be configured to be associated with at least one of the daylightsensor, the remote control, and the occupancy sensor. The controllerresponsive to the messages from the daylight sensor if the controller isassociated with the daylight sensor, may be responsive to messages fromthe remote control if the controller is associated with the remotecontrol, and responsive to messages from the occupancy sensor if thecontroller is associated with the occupancy sensor.

The load control device (e.g., the controller of the load controldevice) may be configured to be associated with at least one of thedaylight sensor, the remote control, or the occupancy sensor. The loadcontrol device may be configured to automatically operate in a firstmode of operation if the daylight sensor is associated with the loadcontrol device and the remote control is not associated with the loadcontrol device. The first mode of operation may be characterized by theload control device being configured to turn the lighting load on andoff in response to a message(s) transmitted by the daylight sensor. Theload control device may be configured to automatically operate in asecond mode of operation if the daylight sensor and the remote controlare associated with the load control device. The second mode ofoperation may be characterized by the load control device beingconfigured to turn the lighting load off in response to a message(s)transmitted by the daylight sensor, but not turn the lighting load on inresponse to a message(s) transmitted by the daylight sensor. The secondmode of operation may further be characterized by the load controldevice being operable to turn the lighting load on in response to amessage(s) transmitted by the remote control. The load control devicemay be configured to automatically operate in a third mode of operationif the daylight sensor, the remote control, and the occupancy sensor areassociated with the load control device. The third mode of operation maybe characterized by the load control device being configured to turn thelighting load on in response to a message(s) received from the daylightsensor only when the load control device has received the third messagefrom the occupancy sensor.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the invention that refers tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simple diagram of a first configuration of a radio-frequency(RF) load control system according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention, in which the system comprises a dimmer switch and two remoteoccupancy sensors;

FIG. 2 is a simple diagram of a second configuration of the RF loadcontrol system of the first embodiment of the present invention, inwhich the system comprises a dimmer switch and a daylight sensor;

FIG. 3 is a simple diagram of a third configuration of the RF loadcontrol system of the first embodiment of the present invention, inwhich the system comprises a dimmer switch, an occupancy sensor, and adaylight sensor;

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of a dimmer switch that may be usedin the first, second, and third configurations of the RF load controlsystem of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart of a daylight sensor message procedureexecuted by a controller of the dimmer switch of FIG. 4 according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention when a digital message isreceived from a daylight sensor;

FIG. 6 is a simple diagram of a first configuration of an RF loadcontrol system according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention, in which the system comprises a remote switching pack and adaylight sensor;

FIG. 7 is a simple diagram of a second configuration of the RF loadcontrol system of the second embodiment of the present invention, inwhich the system comprises a remote switching pack, a daylight sensor,and a remote control;

FIG. 8 is a simple diagram of a third configuration of the RF loadcontrol system of the second embodiment of the present invention, inwhich the system comprises a remote switching pack, a daylight sensor,an occupancy sensor, and a remote control; and

FIG. 9 is a simplified flowchart of a daylight sensor message procedureexecuted by the remote switching pack of the first, second, and thirdconfigurations of the RF load control system of the first embodiment ofthe present invention when a digital message is received from a daylightsensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating theinvention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment that ispresently preferred, in which like numerals represent similar partsthroughout the several views of the drawings, it being understood,however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods andinstrumentalities disclosed.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, aradio-frequency (RF) load control system 100 comprises a load controldevice, e.g., a dimmer switch 110, and one or more RF transmitters, suchas remote occupancy sensors (OS) 120 and remote daylight sensors (DS)130. The dimmer switch 110 is operable to automatically adjust how thedimmer switch 110 operates in response to the types of RF transmitters(i.e., occupancy sensors or daylight sensors) that are assigned to(i.e., associated with) the dimmer switch as will be described ingreater detail below.

FIG. 1 is a simple diagram of a first configuration of an RF loadcontrol system 100, in which the system comprises the dimmer switch 110and two remote occupancy sensors 120. The dimmer switch 110 is adaptedto be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source102 and a lighting load 104 for controlling the amount of powerdelivered to the lighting load. The dimmer switch 110 may be adapted tobe wall-mounted in a standard electrical wallbox. Alternatively, thedimmer switch 110 could be implemented as a table-top load controldevice. The dimmer switch 110 comprises a faceplate 112 and a bezel 113received in an opening of the faceplate. The dimmer switch 110 furthercomprises a toggle actuator 114, i.e., a button, and an intensityadjustment actuator 116. Actuations of the toggle actuator 114 toggle,i.e., turn off and on, the lighting load 104. Actuations of an upperportion 116A or a lower portion 116B of the intensity adjustmentactuator 116 respectively increase or decrease the amount of powerdelivered to the lighting load 104 and thus increase or decrease theintensity of the lighting load 104 from a minimum intensity (e.g.,approximately 1%) to a maximum intensity (e.g., approximately 100%). Aplurality of visual indicators 118, e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs),are arranged in a linear array on the left side of the bezel 113. Thevisual indicators 118 are illuminated to provide feedback of theintensity of the lighting load 104. An example of a dimmer switch havinga toggle actuator 114 and an intensity adjustment actuator 116 isdescribed in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.5,248,919, issued Sep. 29, 1993, entitled LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The remote occupancy sensors 120 are removably mountable to a ceiling ora wall, for example, in the vicinity of (i.e., a space around) thelighting load 104 controlled by the dimmer switch 110, and are operableto detect occupancy conditions in the vicinity of the lighting load. Theoccupancy sensors 120 may be spaced apart to detect occupancy conditionsin different areas of the vicinity of the lighting load 104. The remoteoccupancy sensors 120 each include an internal detector, e.g., apyroelectric infrared (PIR) detector, which is housed in an enclosure122. The enclosure 122 comprises a lens 124 provided in the enclosure.The internal detector is operable to receive infrared energy from anoccupant in the space via the lens 124 to thus sense the occupancycondition in the space. The occupancy sensors 120 are operable toprocess the output of the PIR detector to determine whether an occupancycondition (i.e., the presence of the occupant) or a vacancy condition(i.e., the absence of the occupant) is presently occurring in the space,for example, by comparing the output of the PIR detector to apredetermined occupancy voltage threshold. Alternatively, the internaldetector could comprise an ultrasonic detector, a microwave detector, orany combination of PIR detectors, ultrasonic detectors, and microwavedetectors. The occupancy sensors 120 each operate in an “occupied” stateor a “vacant” state in response to the detections of occupancy orvacancy conditions, respectively, in the space. If one of the occupancysensors 120 is in the vacant state and the occupancy sensor determinesthat the space is occupied in response to the PIR detector, theoccupancy sensor changes to the occupied state.

During a setup procedure of the first configuration of the RF loadcontrol system 100, the dimmer switch 110 may be assigned to one or moreremote occupancy sensors 120. The remote occupancy sensors 120 transmitdigital messages wirelessly via RF signals 106 to the dimmer switch 110in response to the present state of the occupancy sensors. A messagetransmitted by the remote occupancy sensors 120 may include a commandand identifying information, for example, a serial number (i.e., aunique identifier) associated with the transmitting occupancy sensor.The dimmer switch 110 is responsive to messages containing the serialnumbers of the remote occupancy sensors 120 to which the dimmer switchis assigned. The commands included in the digital messages transmittedby the occupancy sensors 120 may comprise an occupied command or avacant command. When the lighting load 104 is off, the dimmer switch 110is operable to turn on the lighting load in response to receiving afirst occupied command from any one of the occupancy sensors 120. Thedimmer switch 110 is operable to turn off the lighting load 104 inresponse to the last vacant command received from those occupancysensors 120 from which the occupancy sensor received either occupied oroccupied commands. For example, if the occupancy sensors 120 bothtransmit occupied commands to the dimmer switch 110, the dimmer switchwill not turn off the lighting load 104 until subsequent vacant commandsare received from both of the occupancy sensors.

Alternatively, the occupancy sensors 120 could be implemented as vacancysensors (VS). A vacancy sensor only operates to turn off the lightingload 104 when the vacancy sensor detects a vacancy in the space.Therefore, when using vacancy sensors, the lighting load 104 must beturned on manually (e.g., in response to a manual actuation of thetoggle actuator 114). Examples of RF load control systems havingoccupancy and vacancy sensors are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,940,167, issued May 10, 2011, entitledBATTERY-POWERED OCCUPANCY SENSOR; U.S. Pat. No. 8,009,042, issued Aug.11, 2011, entitled RADIO-FREQUENCY LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM WITHOCCUPANCY SENSING; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/371,027,filed Feb. 13, 2009, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING AWIRELESS SENSOR, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

FIG. 2 is a simple diagram of a second configuration of the RF loadcontrol system 100, in which the system comprises the dimmer switch 110and one daylight sensor 130. The daylight sensor 130 is mounted so as tomeasure a total light intensity L_(T-SNSR) in the space around thedaylight sensor (i.e., in the vicinity of the lighting load 104controlled by the dimmer switch 110). The daylight sensor 130 includesan internal photosensitive circuit, e.g., a photosensitive diode, whichis housed in an enclosure 132 having a lens 134 for conducting lightfrom outside the daylight sensor towards the internal photosensitivediode. The daylight sensor 130 is responsive to the total lightintensity L_(T-SNSR) measured by the internal photosensitive circuit.Specifically, the daylight sensor 130 is operable to wirelessly transmitdigital messages (i.e., wireless signals) to the dimmer switch 110 viathe RF signals 106, such that the dimmer switch 110 controls the presentlight intensity L_(PRES) of the lighting load 104 in response to thetotal light intensity L_(T-SNSR) measured by the daylight sensor 130.

During the setup procedure of the second configuration of the RF loadcontrol system 100, the daylight sensor 130 is assigned to the dimmerswitch 110. As mentioned above, the daylight sensor 130 transmitsdigital messages wirelessly via the RF signals 106 to the dimmer switch110 in response to the total light intensity L_(T-SNSR) measured by thedaylight sensor. A digital message transmitted by the daylight sensor130 includes, for example, a serial number associated with the daylightsensor and a value representative of the measured total light intensityL_(T-SNSR) measured by the daylight sensor 130 (e.g., in foot-candles).The dimmer switch 110 is responsive to messages containing the serialnumbers of the daylight sensor 130 to which the dimmer switch isassigned.

The dimmer switch 110 controls the present light intensity L_(PRES) ofthe lighting load 104 in response to receiving a digital message withthe total light intensity L_(T-SNSR) as measured by the daylight sensor130. The dimmer switch 110 may adjust the light intensity L_(PRES) ofthe lighting load 104 to maintain the total light intensity L_(T-SNSR)measured by the daylight sensor 130 at a setpoint intensity. In thesecond configuration of the RF load control system 100, the dimmerswitch 110 is operable to turn off the lighting load 104 in response tothe digital messages received from the daylight sensor 130. However, thedimmer switch 110 does not turn on the lighting load 104 in response tothe digital messages received from the daylight sensor 130. The dimmerswitch 110 only turns on the lighting load 104 in response to anactuation of the toggle actuator 114 or the intensity adjustmentactuator 116. Examples of RF load control systems having daylightsensors are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/727,956, filed Mar. 19, 2010, entitled WIRELESSBATTERY-POWERED DAYLIGHT SENSOR, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/727,923, filed Mar. 19, 2010, entitled METHOD OF CALIBRATING ADAYLIGHT SENSOR, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

FIG. 3 is a simple diagram of a third configuration of the RF loadcontrol system 100, in which the system comprises the dimmer switch 110,one occupancy sensor 120, and one daylight sensor 130. Once again, theoccupancy sensor 120 and the daylight sensor 130 are assigned to thedimmer switch 110 during the setup procedure of the RF load controlsystem 100. The dimmer switch 110 is operable to automatically adjusthow the dimmer switch 110 controls the lighting load 104 in response tothe occupancy sensor 120 and the daylight sensor 130 when both adaylight sensor and an occupancy sensor are assigned to the dimmerswitch 110. Specifically, in the third configuration of the RF loadcontrol system 100, the dimmer switch 110 is operable to turn thelighting load 104 on in response to the digital messages received fromthe daylight sensor 130 when the occupancy sensor 120 has determinedthat the space is occupied.

Alternatively, the dimmer switch 110 could be replaced with anelectronic switch comprising, for example, a relay, for simply togglingthe lighting load 104 on and off. The electronic switch could be adaptedto simply turn the lighting load 104 on when the measured total lightintensity L_(T-SNSR) drops below a predetermined threshold (in the thirdconfiguration) and turn the lighting load off when the measured totallight intensity L_(T-SNSR) rises above approximately the predeterminedthreshold, for example, using some hysteresis (in the second and thirdconfigurations).

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of the dimmer switch 110. Thedimmer switch 110 comprises a controllably conductive device 210 coupledin series electrical connection between the AC power source 102 and thelighting load 104 for control of the power delivered to the lightingload. The controllably conductive device 210 may comprise any suitabletype of bidirectional semiconductor switch, such as, for example, atriac, a field-effect transistor (FET) in a rectifier bridge, or twoFETs in anti-series connection. The controllably conductive device 210includes a control input coupled to a drive circuit 212. The input tothe control input will render the controllably conductive device 210conductive or non-conductive, which in turn controls the power suppliedto the lighting load 104.

The drive circuit 212 provides control inputs to the controllablyconductive device 210 in response to command signals from a controller214. The controller 214 is preferably implemented as a microcontroller,but may be any suitable processing device, such as a programmable logicdevice (PLD), a microprocessor, or an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC). The controller 214 receives inputs from the toggleactuator 114 and the intensity adjustment actuator 116 and controls thestatus indicators 118. The controller 214 is also coupled to a memory216 for storage of the preset intensity of lighting load 104 and theserial number of the occupancy sensors 120 and/or daylight sensors 130to which the dimmer switch 110 is assigned. The memory 216 may beimplemented as an external integrated circuit (IC) or as an internalcircuit of the controller 214. A power supply 218 generates adirect-current (DC) voltage V_(CC) for powering the controller 214, thememory 216, and other low-voltage circuitry of the dimmer switch 110.

A zero-crossing detector 220 determines the zero-crossings of the inputAC waveform from the AC power supply 102. A zero-crossing is defined asthe time at which the AC supply voltage transitions from positive tonegative polarity, or from negative to positive polarity, at thebeginning of each half-cycle. The zero-crossing information is providedas an input to controller 214. The controller 214 provides the controlinputs to the drive circuit 212 to operate the controllably conductivedevice 210 (i.e., to provide voltage from the AC power supply 102 to thelighting load 104) at predetermined times relative to the zero-crossingpoints of the AC waveform.

The dimmer switch 110 further comprises an RF receiver 222 and anantenna 224 for receiving the RF signals 106 from the occupancy sensors120 or the daylight sensor 130. The controller 214 is operable tocontrol the controllably conductive device 210 in response to themessages received via the RF signals 106. Examples of the antenna 224for a wall-mounted dimmer switch, such as the dimmer switch 110, aredescribed in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.5,982,103, issued Nov. 9, 1999, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,362,285, issued Apr.22, 2008, both entitled COMPACT RADIO FREQUENCY TRANSMITTING ANDRECEIVING ANTENNA AND CONTROL DEVICE EMPLOYING SAME. The entiredisclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference. Alternatively,the RF receiver 222 could comprise an RF transceiver for both receivingand transmitting the RF signals 106.

FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart of a daylight sensor message procedure300 executed by the controller 214 of the dimmer switch 110 according tothe first embodiment of the present invention when a digital message isreceived from any daylight sensor 130 at step 310. If at least onedaylight sensor 130 is assigned to the dimmer switch 110 at step 312 andthe lighting load 104 is presently on at step 316, the controller 214appropriately adjusts the present light intensity L_(PRES) of thelighting load at step 318, before the daylight sensor message procedure300 exits. If the lighting load 104 is off at step 316 and the lightingload 104 should not be turned on in response to the total lightintensity L_(T-SNSR) received from the daylight sensor 130 at step 320,the controller 214 keeps the lighting load 104 off at step 322 and thedaylight sensor message procedure 300 exits. If the lighting load 104should be turned on in response to the daylight sensor 130 at step 320,the controller 214 determines if at least one occupancy or vacancysensor 120 is assigned to the dimmer switch 110 at step 324. If not, thecontroller 214 keeps the lighting load 104 off at step 322 and thedaylight sensor message procedure 300 exits. If at least one occupancyor vacancy sensor 120 is assigned to the dimmer switch 110 at step 324and the space is occupied at step 326, the controller 214 turns on thelighting load 104 at step 328, before the daylight sensor messageprocedure 300 exits. If the space is not occupied at step 326, thecontroller 214 keeps the lighting load 104 off at step 322 and thedaylight sensor message procedure 300 exits.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, an RF loadcontrol system 400 comprises a remote switching pack 410 and one or moreRF transmitters, such as remote occupancy sensors 420, remote daylightsensors 430, and remote controls (RC) 440. The remote switching pack 410is adapted to be remotely mounted, for example, to a junction box abovea ceiling or in an electrical closet, such that the remote switchingpack is not easily accessible by a user. As in the first embodiment, theremote switching pack 410 is operable to automatically adjust how theremote switching pack operates in response to the types of RFtransmitters (i.e., occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, and remotecontrols) that are assigned to the remote switching pack as will bedescribed in greater detail below.

FIG. 6 is a simple diagram of a first configuration of the RF loadcontrol system 400, in which the system comprises the remote switchingpack 410 and a single daylight sensor 430. The remote switching pack 410is coupled to an AC power source 402 via a hot terminal H and a neutralterminal N and to a lighting load 404 via a switched hot terminal SH.The remote switching pack 410 comprises a controllably conductivedevice, such as, for example, a relay or a bidirectional semiconductorswitch, that is coupled in series electrical connection between the ACpower source 402 and the lighting load 404 for turning the lighting loadon and off. Alternatively, the remote switching pack 410 could comprisea dimming circuit for adjusting the intensity of the lighting load 404.In the first configuration of the RF load control system 400 of thesecond embodiment, the remote switching pack 410 is operable to turn thelighting load 404 on and off in response to the digital messagesreceived from the daylight sensor 430 via the RF signals 106.

FIG. 7 is a simple diagram of a second configuration of the RF loadcontrol system 400, in which the system comprises the remote switchingpack 410, a daylight sensor 430, and a remote control 440. The remotecontrol 440 comprises an on button 441, an off button 442, a raisebutton 443, a lower button 444, and a preset button 445. The remotecontrol 440 also has a visual indicator 446, which may be illuminated inresponse to the actuation of one of the buttons 441-445. The remotecontrol 440 is operable to transmit digital messages including commandsto control the lighting load 404 to the remote switching pack 410 inresponse to actuations of the buttons 441-445. In the secondconfiguration of the RF load control system 400 of the secondembodiment, the remote switching pack 410 does not turn on the lightingload 404 in response to the digital messages received from the daylightsensor 430. The remote switching pack 410 is operable to turn off thelighting load 404 in response to the digital messages received from thedaylight sensor 430, but is only operable to turn on the lighting loadin response to the digital message received from the remote control 440.

FIG. 8 is a simple diagram of a third configuration of the RF loadcontrol system 400, in which the system comprises the remote switchingpack 410, an occupancy sensor 420, a daylight sensor 430, and a remotecontrol 440. The remote switching pack 410 is operable to turn on thelighting load 404 in response to the digital messages received from thedaylight sensor 430 only when the occupancy sensor 420 has determinedthat the space is occupied.

FIG. 9 is a simplified flowchart of a daylight sensor message procedure500 executed by a controller of the remote switching pack 410 accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention whenever a digitalmessage is received from any daylight sensor 430 at step 510. Thedaylight sensor message procedure 500 of the second embodiment is verysimilar to the daylight sensor message procedure 300 of the firstembodiment. However, if no occupancy or vacancy sensors 420 are assignedto the remote switching pack 410 at step 324, the remote switching packdetermines if any remote controls 440 are assigned to the remoteswitching pack at step 550. If so, the remote switching pack 410 doesnot turn the lighting load 404 on, but maintains the lighting load offat step 552, before the daylight sensor message procedure 500 exits. Ifthere are no remote controls 440 assigned to the remote switching packat step 550, the remote switching pack 410 turns on the lighting load404 in response to the digital message received from the daylight sensor430 at step 328 and the daylight sensor message procedure 500 exits.

While the present invention has been described with reference to thedimmer switch 110 and the remote switching pack 410 for controlling thepower delivered to a connected lighting load, the concepts of thepresent invention could be used in any type of control device of a loadcontrol system, such as, for example, a wall-mounted electronic switchfor turning on and off a lighting load (such as an incandescent lamp, amagnetic low-voltage lighting load, an electronic low-voltage lightingload, and a screw-in compact fluorescent lamp); a controllable circuitbreaker, or other switching device for turning appliances on and off; ascrew-in luminaire that includes a light source and an integral loadregulation circuit; a plug-in load control device, controllableelectrical receptacle, or controllable power strip for each controllingone or more plug-in loads; a controllable screw-in module adapted to bescrewed into the electrical socket (e.g., an Edison socket) of a lamp;an electronic dimming ballast for a fluorescent load; a driver for alight-emitting diode (LED) light source; a motor control unit forcontrolling a motor load, such as a ceiling fan or exhaust fan; a driveunit for controlling a motorized window treatment or projection screen;motorized interior or exterior shutters; a thermostat for a heatingand/or cooling system; a temperature control device for controlling asetpoint temperature of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) system; an air conditioner; a compressor; an electric baseboardheater controller; a controllable damper; a variable air volumecontroller; a hydronic valve for use with a radiator and a radiantheating system; a humidity control unit; a dehumidifier; a water heater;a pool pump; an audio system or amplifier; a generator; an electriccharger, such as an electric vehicle charger; and an alternative energycontroller. In addition, the RF load control systems 100, 400 couldcomprise other types of transmitters, such as, for example, a wirelesstemperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a security sensor, a proximitysensor, a wall-mounted keypad device, a tabletop keypad device, a visualdisplay device, a key fob, a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet, apersonal digital assistant, a personal computer, a timeclock, anaudio-visual control, a safety device, a central control transmitter, orany suitable RF-transmitting device.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It ispreferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by thespecific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device capable of automatically adjustingcontrol of a lighting load in response to types of radio frequency (RF)transmitting devices with which the device is associated, the devicecomprising: an RF transceiver configured to receive RF signals; and acontroller configured to: receive, via the RF transceiver, at least onefirst wireless association message comprising first identifyinginformation associated with at least one sensor, the at least one sensorcomprising an occupancy sensor; perform association with the at leastone sensor in response to the first identifying information; after theassociation with the at least one sensor, automatically establish thecontrol of the lighting load to turn on and off in response to wirelesscontrol messages received from the at least one sensor; receive, via theRF transceiver, a second wireless association message comprising secondidentifying information associated with a remote control device; performassociation with the remote control device in response to receiving thesecond identifying information; and after associating with the at leastone sensor and the remote control device, automatically adjust thecontrol of the lighting load to: turn off in response to the wirelesscontrol messages from the at least one sensor when the lighting load ison; not turn on in response to the wireless control messages from the atleast one sensor when the lighting load is off; and turn on in responseto wireless control messages from the remote control device when thelighting load is off.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the controlleris configured to communicate, via the RF transceiver, with a daylightsensor in a load control system that includes the remote control deviceand the occupancy sensor.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to control a motor load in response to at leastone of the occupancy sensor, the remote control device, or a daylightsensor in a load control system.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein thelighting load is a dimmable lighting load controlled by a light emittingdiode (LED) driver or a ballast, and wherein the controller isconfigured to increase or decrease an intensity level of the dimmablelighting load that is controlled by the LED driver or the ballast. 5.The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a remote switching packadapted to be mounted to a junction box.
 6. The device of claim 5,wherein the remote switching pack is coupled to an alternating current(AC) power source via a hot terminal and a neutral terminal, and whereinthe remote switching pack is coupled to the lighting load via a switchedhot terminal.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to control a setpoint temperature of a heating, ventilation,and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
 8. The device of claim 1, whereinthe controller is configured to automatically adjust an operation inresponse to at least one of a cell phone, a smart phone, or a tablet. 9.A method for automatically adjusting how to operate control of alighting load in response to types of radio frequency (RF) transmittingdevices with which a device is associated, the method comprising:receiving, at the device via a first RF signal, at least one firstwireless association message comprising first identifying informationassociated with at least one sensor, the at least one sensor comprisingan occupancy sensor; performing association with the at least one sensorin response to the first identifying information; after the associationwith the at least one sensor, automatically establishing the control ofthe lighting load to turn on and off in response to wireless controlmessages received from the at least one sensor; receiving, at the devicevia a second RF signal, a second wireless association message comprisingsecond identifying information associated with a remote control device;performing association with the remote control device in response toreceiving the second identifying information; and after associating withthe at least one sensor and the remote control device, automaticallyadjusting the control of the lighting load to: turn off in response tothe wireless control messages from the at least one sensor when thelighting load is on; not turn on in response to the wireless controlmessages from the at least one sensor when the lighting load is off; andturn on in response to wireless control messages from the remote controldevice when the lighting load is off.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: communicating, at the device via a third RF signal, with adaylight sensor in a load control system that includes the remotecontrol device and the occupancy sensor.
 11. The method of claim 9,further comprising: controlling a motor load from the device in responseto at least one of the occupancy sensor, the remote control device, or adaylight sensor in a load control system.
 12. The method of claim 9,wherein the lighting load is a dimmable lighting load controlled by alight emitting diode (LED) driver or a ballast, the method furthercomprising: increasing or decreasing an intensity level of the dimmablelighting load that is controlled by the LED driver or the ballast. 13.The method of claim 9, wherein the device is a remote switching packadapted to be mounted to a junction box.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the remote switching pack is coupled to an alternating current(AC) power source via a hot terminal and a neutral terminal, and whereinthe remote switching pack is coupled to the lighting load via a switchedhot terminal.
 15. The method of claim 9, further comprising: controllinga setpoint temperature of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) system from the device.
 16. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: automatically adjusting an operation of the device inresponse to at least one of a cell phone, a smart phone, or a tablet.17. A system capable of automatically adjusting control of a lightingload in response to types of radio frequency (RF) transmitting devices,the system comprising: at least one sensor, wherein the at least onesensor comprises an occupancy sensor; a remote control device; and adevice configured to: receive, via a first RF signal, at least one firstwireless association message comprising first identifying informationassociated with the at least one sensor; perform association with the atleast one sensor in response to the first identifying information; afterthe association with the at least one sensor, automatically establishthe control of the lighting load to turn on and off in response towireless control messages received from the at least one sensor;receive, via a second RF signal, a second wireless association messagecomprising second identifying information associated with the remotecontrol device; perform association with the remote control device inresponse to receiving the second identifying information; and afterassociating with the at least one sensor and the remote control device,automatically adjust the control of the lighting load to: turn off inresponse to the wireless control messages from the at least one sensorwhen the lighting load is on; not turn on in response to the wirelesscontrol messages from the at least one sensor when the lighting load isoff; and turn on in response to wireless control messages from theremote control device when the lighting load is off.
 18. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the device is configured to automatically adjust anoperation in response to at least one of a cell phone, a smart phone, ora tablet.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the device is configuredto control a motor load in response to at least one of the occupancysensor, the remote control device, or a daylight sensor in a loadcontrol system.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the device is aremote switching pack adapted to be mounted to a junction box, andwherein the remote switching pack is coupled to an alternating current(AC) power source via a hot terminal and a neutral terminal, and whereinthe remote switching pack is coupled to the lighting load via a switchedhot terminal.